Page 727 - the-idiot

‘Oh, but it’s only the simple tale of an old soldier who saw
the French enter Moscow. Some of his remarks were won-
derfully interesting. Remarks of an eye-witness are always
valuable, whoever he be, don’t you think so
‘Had I been the publisher I should not have printed it. As
to the evidence of eye-witnesses, in these days people pre-
fer impudent lies to the stories of men of worth and long
service. I know of some notes of the year 1812, which—I
have determined, prince, to leave this house, Mr. Lebedeff’s
house.’
The general looked significantly at his host.
‘Of course you have your own lodging at Pavlofsk at—
at your daughter’s house,’ began the prince, quite at a loss
what to say. He suddenly recollected that the general had
come for advice on a most important matter, affecting his
destiny.
‘At my wife’s; in other words, at my own place, my daugh-
ter’s house.’
‘I beg your pardon, I—‘
‘I leave Lebedeff’s house, my dear prince, because I have
quarrelled with this person. I broke with him last night,
and am very sorry that I did not do so before. I expect re-
spect, prince, even from those to whom I give my heart, so
to speak. Prince, I have often given away my heart, and am
nearly always deceived. This person was quite unworthy of
the gift.’
‘There is much that might be improved in him,’ said
the prince, moderately, ‘but he has some qualities which—
though amid them one cannot but discern a cunning

The Idiot